Louisville starts two-way conversion of Muhammad Ali and Chestnut

The two-way conversion of Muhammad Ali Boulevard and Chestnut Street/River Park Drive is set to begin Oct. 7.

The conversion runs from 9th Street to Southwestern Parkway.

The conversion is part of the Reimagine 9th Street project.

Reimagine 9th Street covers 9th Street (Roy Wilkins Avenue), Muhammad Ali Boulevard, and Chestnut Street/River Park Drive.

The project has already included utility work and multi-way stops at several intersections.

Portions of Muhammad Ali Boulevard and Chestnut Street/River Park Drive are on Louisville’s High Injury Network.

Bill Bell said that network is a small share of roadway segments and accounts for over half of fatal and serious injury crashes.

Bill Bell said two-way conversions have proven to slow traffic, reduce crash severity, and provide more direct routes for police, fire, and EMS.

Bill Bell said two-way conversions also shorten the distance motorists travel.

Bill Bell said the conversions simplify access to, from, and along bus routes.

The two-way striping is expected to be finished before winter.

Crews will remove the old lane markings and restripe the roads for two-way traffic.

Crews will start at 9th Street and work west.

Crews will work one side of the road at a time.

The north side will be closed first.

Parking restrictions will be in place during the work.

Residents are told to follow posted signs and move vehicles before work begins.

Milling and paving are planned for next spring.

A later phase will narrow 9th Street between Main Street and Broadway from six lanes.

Work to narrow 9th Street is expected to start in 2027.

The project costs about $25 million.

Most of the funding is a federal U.S. Department of Transportation grant.